Cassie healed from plantar fasciitis, edema, back pain on a carnivore diet

From Paleo to Carnivore: My Journey to Lasting Weight Loss

Six years ago (at age 45) I started Paleo because I was 376 pounds, walking with a cane, taking naps every day, and on allergy medicine because of constant allergy attacks. I had candida overgrowth which was causing me issues and when I googled to find a resolution it led me to Paleo. I did Paleo for 2 ½ years and lost 170 pounds.

It healed most of my problems but I eventually stalled and then started to introduce Paleo treats which fueled my carb addiction (which had never gone away). Eventually I started eating processed foods, sugar, and corn again. I stayed gluten-free due to my IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) / leaky gut.

Embracing the Carnivore Lifestyle: Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Results

In late 2019, my candida overgrowth had returned with a vengeance and when I googled again for a resolution, I found Carnivore. I had heard of the zero-carbers when I was Paleo but thought it was radical so I never tried it.

This time there was a lot more information on zero-carb and Carnivore. I read up on it, watched videos, and decided to give it a try. I decided I would do it for a few weeks in November 2019 but that I would go off of it while I was traveling for work and enjoying Thanksgiving. I did the same in December. Each time I had the carnivore flu.

The Transformative Power of Carnivore: Healing My Body and Mind

When January 3, 2020 arrived (age 50), I started again from my highest weight in the past 5 years of 294 pounds. I told my husband that I was doing “zero-carb keto” for a while. I didn’t admit to being Carnivore until a month later. I had the carnivore flu (again), bathroom issues, and fatigue.

I knew now what to expect and I was learning a lot of information from Facebook. When I joined MeatRx, I attended as many meetings as I could to learn from everyone on the new platform. The meeting leaders were great and had all been on carnivore for 6 months, 1 year, or even longer. It was also great to be on the same path as other new people starting in January.

In the beginning I ate a lot of chaffles (egg and cheese in a waffle iron), bbq (unsauced), and bacon. I always carried bacon with me including when I traveled twice in January for work. I had a burst of energy at week 3, but then was fatigued for a few more weeks. I had meat aversion around week 4, but I did short fasts until my appetite came back.

By week 6 my carb cravings were gone. Sweet treats still smell good to me, but I have absolutely no desire to have one. I never want to go back to feeling so sick, dazed, and confused.

By the third month I felt fully dedicated–nothing could dissuade me from staying on Carnivore for life. I’m a total convert. My work capacity has increased dramatically. I feel like my brain was operating at 30% compared to 100% now. I have so much energy I overdid it with construction projects at our new home and now I’m having some physical therapy for shoulder / rotator cuff tendonitis. I haven’t truly exercised but I do get out 2-3 times a month for a 2-mile run/walk when the air quality in California allows.

Fasting and Autophagy: Supporting Weight Loss and Addressing Excess Skin

Two questions I get asked frequently after losing 100 pounds in exactly 9 months. Do I fast? I did a bit of fasting the first 6 months but since I was doing so many projects on the house I needed the food for fuel. Now that I am healing my shoulder and not taking vacation I am more sedentary. I generally fast now either 1, 2, or 3 days a week. It just depends on how hungry I am.

The other question is about excess skin. I do have it which is one reason I fast (for the autophagy) but I fully expect to have some skin removal surgery on my arms, stomach, and thighs. You can’t lose almost 200 pounds in 6 years (half my body weight!!!) without needing some help through body contouring.

I do not have insulin resistance or thyroid issues. I think this is why I can lose weight easily at age 50/51. I’ve lost 100+ pounds three other times in my life (WW, Exercise, Paleo). Another reason I do well is that I don’t deviate from plan. I know I’m a true carb addict so I must completely abstain.

I don’t ever want to lose this. Even if I never lost another pound I wouldn’t care. I’ve gotten more of my life back in less than 10 months then I ever anticipated. I still attend MeatRx meetings when my schedule allows so if you see me in the evening social meetings or at the carb addiction meetings (which I lead), please say hello. See you on the other side!!!

Food: I eat beef, bacon, pork, chicken wings, duck, black coffee. Gave up eggs (even egg yolks caused me nausea) and now only have a small amount of cheese. Dairy (heavy cream, soft cheeses) do slow my weight loss / cause weight gain.

Exercise: I run/walk a few times a month about 2 miles each time

Healed: Carb cravings, brain fog, plantar fasciitis, heel spur pain, severe candida overgrowth, edema, back pain (which required me to take anti-inflammatories every night and to sleep sitting up)